Thursday, January 22, 2015

Brownsville Embraces Youth, Optimism, the Unknown at Cobbleheads

Hello young lovers, whoever you are, 
I hope your troubles are few. 
All my good wishes go with you tonight, 
I've been in love like you. 
Be brave, young lovers, and follow your star,
Be brave and faithful and true

I know how it feels to have wings on your heels, 
And to fly down the street in a trance. 
You fly down a street on the chance that you meet, 
And you meet -- not really by chance.
"Hello, Young Lovers"
by Richard Rogers

A packed Cobbleheads audience January 21 heard 28 year old Cesar de Leon in three minutes, 4 seconds give his educational résumé, promise, if elected, an "open door" policy and to strengthen Brownsville's economy and infrastructure, while backing educational opportunities.  Cesar flipped yellow legal sheets from a pad over the podium as he described each segment of his life experience.

All of this was a bit anticlimactic, especially after a substantial buildup by several presenters, including the "Pledge of Allegiance" to both the United States and Texas' flags.

The broadest smile in the room likely belonged to Martin Sarkis, who, after first describing Cesar on my Facebook page as a "loyal friend," admitted to being his uncle.

While the first contributed dollar or organizational assist linked to Mayor Tony Martinez could kill Cesar's campaign, the attendees at Cobbleheads were likely responding to "new blood," a "nice young man." 

Cobbleheads owner Joe Kinney, for the first time, required those there for the political event to enter from the deck entrance, not mixing with bar patrons at the front entrance.  Nena and I arrived just in time for Cesar's speech, then left.

Former kidnap victim, now mayoral candidate, William Garza, worked the room, dressed in jeans and a flannel hunting shirt. Commissioners Jessica Tetreau and Ricardo Longoria, Jr. were there.

Brownsville is so family oriented that it gives double honor to those young ones who "make good," achieve academically, running for and winning office.  Nothing about that is life-changing, but it feels good.





28 comments:

  1. "Cesar de Leon in three minutes, 4 seconds give his educational résumé, promise, if elected, an "open door" policy and to strengthen Brownsville's economy and infrastructure, while backing educational opportunities."

    More Believe in Mexicanville to me.

    Fuck that.

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    1. What the Fuck are you babbling about? What does what you wrote mean? What is your fucking solution other than to spew out pure racist babble? If you don't like it here, leave, or try to do something about your issues. What are your fucking issues, anyway? Other than being a racist in the very home of the race you detest, what else are your issues, fucking moron. What is wrong with that platform? How does your racist comment apply to anything he said? The prosperity he seeks is not worth it, unless it's for crackers like you, or for a particular race? Jackass!!!! What do you want concentration camps for the meskins? What a fucking pendejo you are........loser.

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    2. a comment with no logic lol believe in brownsville or get out of here. my vote for Cesar de Leon!

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  2. Leo Rosales knows the city. He knows the issues. He is wise and an elder statesman. He is one of us. If and when he announces, he'll have my vote.

    El Pueblo

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    1. No MAMES leo stay home

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    2. Leo is a used up puppet with the same shitty ideas that have slowed progress in brownsville. VOTE FOR CESAR!!! young, innovative, creative, fresh ideas, modern perspective, dedicated, hard working, and courageous..

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    3. Leo got fired from the good neighbor for stealing.

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  3. Forest Gump's Mexican Son: Tio Martin says they was magic shoes. They could take me anywhere...even to city hall.

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  4. Nice photograph in Lincoln Park. I can feel the warmth and the breeze - almost smell the air.

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  5. Leo Rosales has failed managing his personal life. He won't sniff a commission seat unless he's early to a scheduled meeting by a good half-hour.

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  6. "All of this was a bit anticlimactic, especially after a substantial buildup by several presenters, including the "Pledge of Allegiance" to both the United States and Texas' flags."

    Why the hell did they skip the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the Mexican flag, the tri, the real and only symbol of freedom in Brownsville?

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    1. Cynical comments like this give strength to people north from the valley who disrespect our community and classify us as if we owe loyalty to mexico or some shit. We in Brownsville or the RGV are as American as those in New York close to the border by Canada. Cesar is the right person for the job. He is one of the few out there who truly wish to improve our city. My vote and my family goes to Cesar de Leon.

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    2. If you take the time to look at a map AND read history, you will see that Brownsville has always been a de facto part of Mexico, period. The economy, culture, language, as it is, are all tied to Mexico. This is not true on the Canadian border. Do almost all people on the Vermont side of the border with Quebec speak French?

      The only way for Brownsville to progress is to link together with Matamoros and form one single economic entity. Matamoros is isolated as well from the rest of Mexico. ALL schools in Brownsville should be mandatory bi-lingual. Do away with the ridiculous "pocho" and be proud of your heritage.

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    3. De facto I have read history regarding the relationship between Brownsville and Mexico and US and Canada so of course it is tied together just as the economy,culture, and language are relevant up north. Regardless of the northern border state, french is second popular to english, you rarely hear someone speaking spanish unless its a hispanic looking for a job (unfortunately). many american companies expand to canada compared to expanding in mexico and im just talking bordering countries. apart from the obvious hockey is popular over there which yes unites cultures as much as us playing soccer in the heat.So yes i agree there should be an alliance with matamoros, but to claim "the tri the real and only symbol of freedom of Brownsville" is completely preposterous. Im proud of my heritage and so should everyone living in Brownsville should be. so do not disrespect the city of Brownsville with comments like that. after all we are all American under the same constitution. The rio grande river marks territory for the united states if you read your history books.

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    4. The Rio Grande River was never accepted by Mexico as the boundary. It was a lie instituted by President Polk, not unlike the Gulf of Tonic Resolution. Read the following from Abraham Lincoln, a well known La Raza Unida politian.

      https://sesquicentenary.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/abraham-lincoln-speech-the-war-with-mexico/

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    5. il make it simple for you, just go to google and read about texas. simple as that. the border was disputed was always rio grande. despite lincolns great deeds he had some fallacies as we do all dont we? Im texan and American if i was born on the darn bridge for all i care.

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    6. By his reply, Anonymous at 4:25, has no idea what the term "de facto" means. It is all down hill from there.

      Anonymous at 3:59 is very confused about what a source is and how you search the Internet. As far as being born "on the bridge", it makes one a citizen of either the US or Mexico depending WHERE on the bridge one was born. The boundary splits the bridge.

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    7. anoymous 1/25/15 7:59, de facto can easily be translate into "matter of fact" and simple spanish will link linguistics to latin. as for the other post of being born on the bridge, im sure its a matter of expression. ofcourse .000001 may define the boundary which wraps up our conversation about how Cesar is truly american, raised here and owes allegiance to no other flag but the american. thank you

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    8. @ Jan 26 2:27AM

      De facto does not mean "matter of fact". "Matter-of-fact means: not showing emotion especially when talking about exciting or upsetting things.

      De Facto means: A legal term meaning "in fact" or "in reality", which is used to qualify many legal terms. For example, de facto segregation refers to segregation which occurs without any official action by government officials, but results from social, psycholological, or economic conditions. De facto may mean existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not. In another example, a corporation may be said to have de facto corporate status by inadvertently failing to fully satisfy all legal requirements for the creation of corporate existence, but has exercised corporate powers in good faith. Other applications include de facto authority, de facto court, de facto officers, and others.

      Regarding the distinction of where one is born on the bridge, I do not follow your thought, especially the .000001 number? The South Texas border is a very ambiguous place. Most people have family on both sides of the border, over 85% of the population speaks Spanish,
      56% do not speak English well, over 45% are illiterate. Many people have Mexican passports or are eligible to have them. The border is both physically and culturally isolated from the rest of the US. It is common to hear Tex-Mex or pocho spoken in public buildings both by citizens and workers. There is no other place like the Valley in the US in terms of national ambiguity and poverty. There are pockets of this phenomenon in places like Los Angeles and Houston, but not a
      region in it's entirety. Needless to say, this can leave the impression that one is in an environment in flux with less than normal allegiance to either side of the river. In many ways, this can be beneficial as it offers one the opportunity to learn two working languages and cultures. However, it also can create a situation where neither language or culture is fully developed or appreciated. (I am including Laredo in the Valley, de facto)

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    9. Thank you very much for taking the time to explain something all of us should know, but.....

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  7. We the people of Brownsville, Texas must stop talking down on each other simply based on racial diversity. We live in the border and there is bound to be a diverse culture. Cesar is focused on the growth of our city not only that he is getting the youth involved in Brownsville... where most people do not even participate or vote. Cesar is motivated and dedicated not only does he have my respect, but my vote as well!

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  8. de Leon and Sarkis? Not happening. Not getting my vote.

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  9. Cesar Golonsky will be a Tony Martinez plant to continue ripping off the taxpayers . .....where does he stand on the Lincoln Park issue ? On Tony Martinez buying Galonsky real estate for inflated prices? He's not saying anything because he will help the scam to continue .

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  10. What is this constant "poncho" bullshit? We are in the U.S. so speak proper English and be grateful to be here. Take your ridiculous arrogance for being a literate fucking Mexican back across the river and fix your own country.

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    1. I totally agree My dad fought for this country in Vietnam (tet offensive)and many uncles my grandfather in ww2 fuck México doesnt matter if we're on the border this is America be proud her.I never heard Mexico with boots on the ground and i'm Hispanic

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  11. Okay Cesar and Martin. Give it a rest. We know who you and your family are voting for.

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  12. ehh fuck all the small talk Cesar has my vote.

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  13. I have a question for Cesar and Mike.
    1. Would you be willing to answer citizen's questions at a public forum???

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